Jackson's defense team has pretty good days

Today, in the Conrad Murray trial, the prosecution tried to say Michael Jackson was not addicted to drugs, in particular Demerol which was given by a dermatologist, Dr. Arnold Kline for Botox and Restylane injections of the forehead, cheeks and nose.
     As the medical reports were read, it appeared the small cosmetic injections were probably just a ruse to cover  giving significant amounts of Demerol to Jackson.Having dealt with addictive persons, I can attest that addicts always have more than one source for drugs. Who were Jackson's other suppliers, we will never know.
     The defense has been successful in showing Jackson was in need of drugs and due to his contractual obligations, would have been unable to attend regular detox, even if he had wanted to go. Another witness was a doctor who conducted the initial US research studies on Propofol. He stated Propofol was a better sedative then operative anesthetic, but the company wanted Propofol to be developed only for operations and medical procedures. I am surprised how well the defense team is able to defend the doctor.

Cut embassy costs

Here is an idea I like - a Virtual Embassy. Hillary Clinton says she wants to create a virtual embassy for Iran, since the US and the Iranian government can't seem to reach agreements. She states the embassy will be for people in Iran who have questions about the US or might want to travel here. The Iranian government said they will continue to disrupt electronic computer and phone connections. Hilary calls this the "electronic curtain."
Carrying this virtual embassy idea further, we could cut huge amounts from the US budget if we made a lot of the embassy services around the world virtual. We could still have a few American workers in these countries, but the costs could be cut dramatically. In addition, when a US embassy is targeted in an attack, there would be little in the actual embassy building and all information would be stored outside of the country, so little data would be lost and injuries greatly reduced.
I hope we explore further the virtual embassy.

TipNow to reduce crime

Now we can all become a little bit like Sherlock Holmes or the nosy neighbor. TipNow is a texting service which allows you to report suspicious or outright criminal behavior and the police will follow-up. Your identity is not revealed. but many computers do have tracking devices. ABC30 TV is also working with this service and you can call 559-475-8886.
Someone accessing porn in the public library, bringing drugs to school, inappropriate around schools or doing other illegal activities...now you can publicize the evidence and let the police take over.

McCain is wrong - No mercenaries

Today, Senator John McCain said that Iraq will continue to need our troops and we need to have continued presence in Iraq. There is some confusion here. McCain is wrong.
Iraq can not control our troops for any reason. Our troops were deployed for WAR. Once the war is over, the troops can return home. Iraq may need Americans to build and modernize their country, but they can not use our troops. Nation-building is not war and it is not a duty for Americans to pay for Iraq nation-building. Iraq has many resources and many private companies are in Iraq making lots of money, along with the corrupt government officials. America has a huge deficit and is paying for the Iraq war with a credit card from China. It does not make any sense
We need to bring all of our military stuff home, along with our soldiers. There are basically three ways for Iraq to get non-war Americans into the country for nation-building. First, Iraq can hire a mercenary military to keep their people under control for years to come. Second, Iraq can hire American corporations, businesses and non-profits to work on various projects and needs. Lastly, Iraq can contract with the US to send non -military volunteer workers for various jobs. Anyone who wishes to volunteer to live and work in Iraq can do so via the State Department and be paid higher wages with benefits by IRAQ, not the United States.
Our military is not mercenary. Hence, countries can not pay our soldiers to come in and fight their wars. The US military only fights to protect and defend the US. The Foreign Legion is a mercenary military  group that takes men from any country to fight anywhere for pay. So, to hire a military, Iraq needs to look into hiring the Foreign Legion. If the US puts non-military persons in peril to build Iraq, there is every chance a war build-up could restart if the safety of these people is jeopardized. Iraq has already said that there will be no immunity and all Americans in Iraq will be subject to Iraqi law. Having seen the videos of Qaddafi's torture and death, I think most Americans will not be prepared for the Iraqi justice system. In addition, there are still hundreds of thousands of IED's hidden throughout the country.
The best situation is for private corporations and non-profits to send employees to Iraq, the companies and workers will be paid by Iraq, and the businesses will be responsible for the care, safety and costs involved. This will also help both the deficit and the US unemployment situation.

Republicans want war extended and more debt

Republicans don't get it. THE WAR HAS BEEN DECLARED OVER and the troops will be home for Christmas!!! The Republican leaders are saying to President Obama, this is too soon and we need to keep our troops in Iraq, and other Middle East countries, until they are stable. Hey, these countries have almost never been stable in our lifetimes. Unlike Americans, they have grown up in a culture of violence and fighting. You can clearly see the difference in how they treated Qaddafi vs. how we treat our "hated ones," like Madoff. We are a different culture with different beliefs. In the Middle East, when one fight ends, another begins.
The final story is, the US war in Iraq is over and we need to ship out our stuff and bring home the troops. This also means that the huge costs of the war, and the aftermath, will markedly decrease. We can stop borrowing as much from China and reduce our huge deficit. Thanks President Obama.
For years we were doing a lot of nation-building in the Middle East - but this is not the proper use for troops. Once the war ends, the troops come home. Now, as far as continual nation-building, we can use American businesses and others who want to contract and profit for various deals. But, not our troops.
We need our public money directed towards improving the American economy, encouraging job development, and improving the financial crisis.
So Republicans get over it, the WAR IS OVER!!!!!

PRESIDENT OBAMA DECLARES WAR OVER

YAHOOOOO!!!!! The day we have waited for for over ten years. President Obama declared today,"the Iraq/Afghanistan war is over" and the President states all troops will be out by the end of the year and hopefully home for Christmas !!!! LET'S DANCE!!!!!!
Republicans say, not so fast. Republicans feel U.S. needs to be involved in the war area for additional years and want to pour more borrowed money into Iraq, Afghanistan, and the corrupt pockets of foreign leaders and contractors. Republicans do not understand that the money used for the war was borrowed from China and has a huge interest component. Our children for generations will be paying of this ten-year plus war debt. We can not afford to increase our debt more and continue a questionable presence in the Middle East.
President Obama is correct. End the war this year, stop the financial waste and borrowing, and allow our troops to come home and get their lives back.
THEY'LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS!!!!!

Qaddafi DEAD

Now that Muammar Qaddafi is dead - killed by a bullet from his own people after they tortured and beat him - what will the future hold for Libya? Is this the Muslim way? I was really distressed to see the videos with people acting like dogs.
When all effective organizational power is gone, communities can drift into chaos and find themselves separated by various fighting factions. It can end up resembling gang wars in Los Angeles that want to take over leadership - the "turf wars."
I hope the countries that know Libya well, can help devise a transfer of power and reorganization of the country.

Michael Jackson - conspiracy of secrecy

The Dr. Conrad Murray case methodically moves on. Today, one of the doctors involved in Propofol research and an anesthesiologist gave hours of damning testimony. He called Dr. Murray everything negative under the sun. The prosecution repeatedly laid out 13 or more seriously medical negligent acts by Dr. Murray in treating Michael Jackson. The defense has been setting out its side throughout the trial. But the hurdles are too great.
What the defense can say is Dr. Murray was sucked into this scheme. Clearly, this is not what Murray should have been involved with in any way. The case is crushing. I get fatigued just listening to the situation.
I feel sorry that Michael, deep into addiction, needed help. Yet, his show producers, the insurance company and the doctors all failed him. In spite of all of his money and connections, he was alone, making bad judgments at a time when he needed effective help. Michael always thought he was going to die from a drug overdose, like his idol Elvis. He created the scenario that made his prediction come true. Michael Jackson was a very smart person who became an icon. I'm sure Michael knew that taking all of those meds intravenously nightly would lead to death eventually. During Michael's last child molestation court appearance, he appeared very thin and ill. He had may days when he physically could not get to court, he wore pajamas, he went to the hospital. Michael appeared to be near death's door. He was eating small healthy meals, starving, and abusing drugs - that combination never works. In short, Michael was, for whatever reasons, dying. He chose Dr. Murray to complete the action.
LaToya says it was a murder conspiracy. Who knows. Many people internationally wanted Michael's money. In the end, we will all know the last minutes of Michael's life and Michael lost his privacy and secrecy - one of the things he cherished most. But, he still has the secrets of his thoughts.

Merced - Time to Change

Dr Loraine Goodwin, candidate for Congress 2012, Demands Time for a Change

"We need to rename certain Merced Sites and revise maps to include the changes.

As the State of California begins a project to remove racist names from gold-country landmarks, it is a good time to change the name of Black Rascal Creek, Park, and bridge (and any other such-named sites) in Merced County 

I was not sure of the initial intent in naming the creek, but I had my suspicions. My suspicions were confirmed when a citizen was hesitant to speak the name of the creek because I was in the room. Hence, it's time for the name change. Merced has accepted the responsibility of hosting and nurturing a UC educational system and supporting all of the students who will visit Merced. The naming of the creek, park, bridge (and whatever else) brings negative imagery.

I hope you will join me when I submit my demands to the county. In addition, I hope we will have great support by students in renaming this site."

I want monster hands and feet

If you are a horror movie fan, you may enjoy bidding on items from an LA area prop house.

Auction time 11AM
Date:	Saturday October 22, 2011
Location:	El Segundo CA, USA 90245
Online Bidding:	http://www.icollector.com/Fangoria-s-Annual-Movie-Prop-Auction_as21162

Congratulations Clintons

Hope you caught the online Clinton Foundation 10th Anniversary concert tonight. Lady Gaga, Bono and many more. In a skit some comedians said they were forming a foundation baseball club and the mascot would be the Cheetah.

Military makes excuses to stay in Iraq

I am going to comment on this edited CNN news brief. I am a strong supporter of bringing American troops out of Iraq and Afghanistan. We have seen the Middle East leadership playing both sides of the conflict - taking mega money and human lives from the United States and giving American money to the anti-American forces to kill, maim, corrupt, and enslave our patriotic troops.

El Paso, Texas (CNN) -- A brigade of U.S. troops originally scheduled to be among the very last to leave Iraq is being pulled out of the country months ahead of its planned departure, military officials said Saturday (10/14/2011).

The announcement follows news this month that a deal to keep American troops in Iraq past a December 31, 2011, deadline to withdraw was on shaky ground after Iraqi leadership said any remaining U.S. forces would not be granted immunity from Iraqi prosecution. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta and other top brass have repeatedly said any deal to keep U.S. troops in Iraq beyond the withdrawal deadline must require a guarantee of legal protection for American soldiers.(Comment: Panetta, why would we stay. The war is over. We have military setting up residence in Iraq.)

The Fourth Brigade Combat Team, First Armored Division, based at Fort Bliss, deployed to Iraq in August to replace two withdrawing brigades. The troops were sent with the understanding they would be among the last to leave the country and were told to expect up to a 12-month deployment (Comment: That's about one year past our promised withdrawal date)

                                              As part of that agreement, the State Department is deploying thousands 
                                              of workers to Iraq to take over where military officials leave off in their 
                                              dealings with the Iraqi government.(Comment: This article clearly                                        
                                              states we have no agreement or immunity with Iraq. So, these 
                                              workers will not have immunity, So,  they can be imprisoned, 
                                              tortured and hanged after trial (or other Iraqi process) in Iraq. Who 
                                              is going to protect these thousands of government workers? Is 
                                              this just another ploy to keep more American troops in Iraq 
                                              beyond the 2011 deadline?)

"At the same time we're building a comprehensive partnership with Iraq under the Strategic Framework Agreement including a robust security relationship, and discussions with the Iraqis about the nature of that relationship are ongoing," said Tommy Vietor of the National Security Council.(Comment: We have no "partnership" with Iraq! Mr. Vietor does not understand for there to be a partnership there must be transparency, agreement, trust and a willingness to follow the terms/rules of the contract. Vietor must be making money under the table.)

"We shouldn't see American soldiers in Iraqi courts on trumped-up charges," he said.(Comment: Get out troops out now!)

The meetings include discussions about the rights of American troops and what will be required in order for those troops to assist Iraqi forces in the future, according to Panetta.(Comment: How clear can Iraq be - no immunity. You have the right to be tried and hung! When did we become Iraqi assistants. We were there for a war. It's over - BRING OUR TROOPS HOME!)

U.S. officials have been pressuring Iraq's leadership for months for an answer to whether it would request a troop extension, with former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen saying over the summer that the U.S. needed a a decision by August.(Comment: Who cares if they ask for an extension of the services of our troops. They just shot down another plane full of SEALS. We are not a maid or babysitting service. Of course they want our troops longer, because we send boatloads of money to Iraq as long as they are there. Americans who need jobs will have to go to Iraq to find them. If they request our troops, tell them to pay up and tell the troops the war is over,but they can sign up to "improve Iraq" if they wish. We should not be nation-building there. The troops are not slaves for the rich. )

.

The negotiations have been strained following WikiLeaks' release of a diplomatic cable that alleged Iraqi civilians, including children, were killed in a 2006 raid by American troops rather than in an airstrike as initially reported by the U.S. military.

Shortly after the WikiLeaks cable gained attention in September, Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki ordered an investigation into the deaths outside of Tikrit.

U.S. officials have long said they believe Iraq may need help with training, counterterrorism, air defense, command and control and intelligence operations. Any U.S. troops remaining to do those jobs might also need additional security forces.(Comment: This is "crazy land." Iraq will use all of their skills from our training against Americans and our allies at home and abroad. Our troops get pushed into Iraq without that training. Our values are misplaced as we arm the Middle East to win against us.)

The prospect of U.S. troops staying beyond the end of the year sits uncomfortably with many Iraqis, who have routinely questioned American motives following the 2003 U.S.-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein. (Comment: As we get closer to the deadline, they will kill more and more of our troops.)

Radical anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, whose Sadrist political party is closely aligned with al-Maliki, has vowed to escalate armed resistance if the U.S. military does not leave as scheduled, a move that could destabilize the country should his militia repeat the bloody battles it waged against American and Iraqi forces during the height of violence.

Odierno said last month that there would be risks in leaving a large force of U.S. troops in Iraq, noting such a force could provoke new claims of U.S. occupation and distract from efforts to develop the Iraqi military's abilities. He would not comment directly on reports that the White House administration had decided to leave between 3,000 and 5,000 troops, should they be requested by Iraq.(Comment: Hogwash!!)

Odierno, who served as the top U.S. commander in Iraq, said that training of Iraqi security forces was not complete.(Comment: No, we have not completely taught you how to kill us and take over our country, security and economy.)

"We need to probably be there to assist them at certain levels for a while," he said last month in a question-and-answer session with journalists at the Pentagon.(Comment: Odierno is NUTS!!!)

As of last week, 41,000 U.S. military personnel remained in the country, according to Major Gen. Jeffrey Buchanan, spokesman for U.S. Forces-Iraq. Buchanan said Wednesday that "we are on track, and we will meet our requirement to redeploy the last remaining military personnel from 41,000 down to zero by the end of the year." A brigade typically consists of between 3,000 and 5,000 soldiers.(Comment: We are watching. All troops and our secret stuff out of Iraq and Afghanistan by the 31st deadline!!)

Cut the deficit?

Do the Republicans want to cut the deficit? I don't think so. So far we have spent over a ½ trillion dollars on the Afghanistan/Iraq war. Want to cut billions of dollars from the budget, send the troops home. All of this money on credit from China - plus interest. Anyone who has handled a budget knows this is failure. Spending on war must stop. But many make huge profits from wars, so the opposition is strong. War using a credit card.

With our expensive borrowed money, the corrupt governments in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and more buy weapons and kill Americans, get our soldiers hooked on drugs, infiltrate America with more corruption...

Those soldiers who return to the US and are not addicted to drugs, not corrupted and have escaped death now must face lifelong medical/social care and repercussions from PTSD and physical disfigurements. In addition, unemployment eats at the soul and contributes to additional depression, obesity, anger, violence, divorce and addictions. The effects of war will last generations. Additional billions of dollars will be needed to care for the veterans and their families. Everyone suffers when the PTSD leads to suicide and violence in the families and communities.

The Karzi government is corrupt and wants to entice us into many additional years of war. The people in the Middle East must pay for and fight their own wars. We Americans must leave now.

Dr Murray defense reels in Jackson trial

The Michael Jackson death trial is historic in a very odd way. This is the first trial I have ever heard of where millions are being spent to prove Michael Jackson, a Black male, received poor medical care. Blacks in America are often subject to inferior medical care for various reasons. In this case, everyone is angry that Michael Jackson received inferior care. I'm moved and I think America has graduated to a new level of humanity.
I listened to the trial today, and the Dr. Murray defense team was sent reeling from the numerous accusations of negligence. The story was laid out clearly and I know Dr. Murray was watching his career fly out the courtroom window. Feelings were clear and the medical professionals who testified about the standard of care deviations were adamant that Dr. Murray has no defense in this case and was absolutely the direct cause of Michael Jackson's death.
True, this trial still involves a Black male as the defendant, but to have the State prosecutors advocating that Michael deserved better medical care is historic. It brings a tear to my eye. I hope all minorities will take note and realize that they deserve great medical care too.
Probably the most hurtful testimony against Dr. Murray came from the California Medical Board Medical Review Officer. This person has control of his state medical license and things look grim.
The real zinger of the Jackson case is that Dr Murray could have helped himself and reduced his problems if he had told his girlfriend, who was listening on the phone, to CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY. What a difference that act might have made.
It is a shame that Dr. Murray got caught up in this high finance web of providing medications casually to a suspected drug abuser, Michael. Dr. Murray's talents are needed in many parts of the world and he is highly trained. He just went wild once he entered this world of money and excess. He developed a "big head" and set aside his medical training. I think he is seeing things much more clearly in the courtroom.

You're the best gift of all

If you would die tomorrow, what would people tell about what you meant to your world? This is a question which haunts most of us throughout our lives. We all want to have a meaningful life. Of course, a meaningful life has a different meaning for every person. Most of us will not be remembered by the nation or the world. Many will not even be really remembered in their city or town. We can be remembered by our family, who will carry memories of you for many years to come. Hopefully, your story will have an impact, maybe it will motivate.
I had an uncle Bill who left a legacy of jokes and fun times. I can't even think about him without smiling. His death also had an impact on me because he died of restrictive lung disease  which came from smoking and jobs which exposed him to occupational pollutants. I am glad that I had an opportunity to know him.

That is the same impact we can all have. We can create great memories by telling your life stories. During the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, I hope you will sit in the living room or at the dining room table and tell some of your tales. I can assure you the kids and others will love them and it will open you up to closer family relationships.

We must stop the predators

Joseph Son, 40, was convicted of one count of torture in August after his DNA linked him to the abduction of a then-19-year-old victim as she walked her dog near her apartment on Christmas Eve.

Son and a co-defendant, Santiago Lopez Gaitan, 40, drove the woman to Huntington Beach at gunpoint, where they raped and sodomized her in the back of the car. They repeatedly threatened to kill her, hitting her with the pistol and telling her she was going to die.

The badly injured woman begged for her life, prosecutors said, and the two men released her naked and blindfolded with her own pants.

Police collected DNA evidence, but couldn't match it to her attackers until Son was required to provide a DNA sample after he pleaded guilty to felony vandalism in 2008 and violated probation.

Son's co-defendant was sentenced to 17 years and four months in state prison after he pleaded guilty in January to five felonies, including kidnapping and sodomy by force in concert.

Stop Child Sex Trade

The child sex trade is a huge problem in the US and abroad. No country is immune. In the US kids are often lured via the internet or corrupted neighborhood kids and adults. Girls and boys are bullied or lured with promises of love, money or other things. Usually the kids who are targeted are from broken homes and demonstrate emotional problems. The child may have already suffered issues of abandonment, neglect, low self-esteem, and physical and/or emotional abuse. The child may be in the foster care system or even disabled. She or he may be looking for food, money, self-worth, and shelter.
What the child finds is more violence and abuse when the man takes the child to a hotel room where he/she is beaten, sedated and confused with drugs and raped.
Then child is then sold via the Internet, transported to various areas around the country and the world, and sold to other pedophiles.
This is sex slavery and it even happens to adults, especially people who audition to be models.
Of note, churches often send their pedophile priests to foreign countries, like Africa, where they can escape American laws and continue to interact with children under the guise of priest.
I even heard of one country that incarcerated an American in a dungeon-like prison. The American was surprised to find he could buy a child in the prison to be his slave. He bought a child.
We must protect our children from these abusers of children.

Die zeit ist um _ time time time

The High Speed Rail(HSR) debate goes on. Some people, like Republican congressman Jeff Denham said "just widen highway 99 - high speed rail is not needed and too expensive."


Now, today, other Republican obstructionists are coming out to propose - "just expand our already existing Amtrak lines. Much cheaper and could get the train to go up to 110 MPH." 


Amtrak currently runs from Oakland to Bakersfield area, then you switch to a bus to go over the mountains. I took this trip a couple of years ago and I seem to remember using 2 buses and 2 trains, then a taxi, to get to my destination. Quite a trek. I did not save much time, but it was more relaxing than driving. I love Amtrak and would love if we could crank it up to do the job.


The truth is the central valley has been is dire need of a transportation overhaul for over thirty years. Unfortunately, none of the city councils, county supervisors, state senators, state assemblymen, or transportation heads have ever addressed the issue. so, the valley has crumbled and existed as a "difficult to reach" area with sluggish economies. 


Now, we finally have a president who is interested in growing the valley and willing to commit federal cash to get the job done. Obstructionists fail to see that the project will be expensive because they have ignored the valley for decades. State senator Jeff Denham did nothing to improve valley jobs, improve valley transportation, or improve the valley housing market. Now, as a valley congressman, Denham continues to want to impede valley economic growth, safety, and transportation. It is stupid and totally irresponsible to say the transportation solution is to just widen highway 99. I want even more from this transportation overhaul, but the High Speed Rail Authority has repeatedly told me they do not want to address the huge volume of trucking traffic along highway 99 with this current HSR package. Too bad - it is a huge, huge problem and it makes a lot of sense to address the trucks at the same time.


The HSR system is elevated, so there should be fewer collisions between trains and people, cars, and various pieces of junk placed on the tracks. This is a big advantage over the current Amtrak tracks. Also the HSR will be quieter, so residents living near the tracks will be less stressed from train noises.


Obstructionists complain HSR will cost $13 billion for the Merced to Bakersfield route. Well, let's face it, every year you wait to get the job done, it will cost more. The costs will not go down. In the meantime, the valley suffers. Maybe we can improve the valley economy and get some locals significant employment and careers. Certainly cities with HSR stations will grow greatly. The complainers of HSR are probably the same people who blocked UC from building a valley campus for so many years. Now, UC Merced is a continuing success story with many benefiting from the investments.


The main thing about HSR is that it must be completed in time to handle the aging "baby boomers" who will be losing their driving capabilities over the next decade. They will use HSR in large numbers. After the baby boomers, there is a population drop, so ridership will depend more on costs, convenience, etc. So, time is of the essence. 

B of A shake-up

Bank of America website was reportedly down for the 4th day. Good going! Let’s face it, Bank of America can’t make money or exist without people. So people, keep it up. The bank is here to serve the people. We are not here to serve the bank. And keep drinking that coffee!!!

Gun control for some?

Conservative radio commentator, Mike Levine says now he wants gun control. Why?  Well, Mike is angry that the criminals involved in the drug trade in Mexico are committing horrible crimes with weapons, allegedly purchased with American money, and American border guards are being killed. So, let’s see…no gun control in the US because “guns don’t kill people, people kill people.” Now, since the Mexicans are creating problems with guns, Mike wants federal gun control and he wants the Obama administration to head this project. Mike needs to understand laws don’t work against just one group of people. The Republicans want no gun control, so that is what we have. If they are committing crimes with guns, go after the people, not the guns.
Also, when President Bush started the wars in the Middle East, many American military and innocent civilians were killed by weapons purchased by the enemy with American money. Often they used American payments to buy American weapons to kill Americans. We have a long history of giving large amounts of money to hostile groups abroad, even as Americans are in great financial need.
Pray that President Obama can get our remaining military out of this quagmire fast and safely.

Whether you support the wars in Afghanistan and Pakistan or not, I agree with General Allen. All of the men and women who volunteered for military war service are heroes,

It takes more than hollow words to respect our military. Respect is shown by your actions, and booing the military shows what Republicans really think of our volunteer military heroes.

Congress fundraising specialists - no work

Our congressmen are finally coming back to DC after another long vacation. Yes, they return to work at 2PM on Monday. I call this the three day work-"week" because they will probably have a short day on Friday. They will work for a few weeks, then start the holiday breaks. But don't expect any real work out of these people. I assume there will just be more of the same - fighting, repeating party lines and lots of TV sound bites. The goal for Republicans will be blocking all efforts to get anything done, as requested by the President. Reducing the deficit by eliminating the Dept. of Education, Planned Parenthood and the EPA, cutting Social Security, turning Medicare into a $6,000 voucher system, protecting tax cuts for the multimillionaires and billionaires,etc., will have the Republicans again dig in their heels. I predict the super-committee will be pressured into ineffectiveness.

Disgraced Unpatriotic Republicans lie

Below is a story from the AP stating candidate Cain said he should have defended the soldier who stated he was gay at the Republican debate and the Republicans began booing loudly. The Republicans just don't get it. Perry and others tried to claim they did not hear the booing - an obvious and pitiful lie, because the booing was loud and prolonged. You could see the Republican candidates keeping their heads down to avoid having to deal with the problem.
The issue is not defending this one soldier, it's respecting our military and EVERY soldier who volunteered to put his/her life in danger to fight for our country and the freedoms and lifestyle we enjoy. I expect anyone who wants to become president to, by natural instinct, jump to the forefront and defend any US soldier. These delayed excuses by the Republican candidates are insincere calculated answers, unacceptable and a national disgrace.
OFF WITH THEIR HEADS!!!!!


WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain said Sunday that he should not have stayed silent after the audience at a GOP debate booed a gay soldier serving in Iraq.
The Georgia businessman told ABC's "This Week" that it would have been "appropriate" for him to have defended the soldier. None of the candidates on stage at the Sept. 22 forum responded to the boos.
"In retrospect, because of the controversy it has created and because of the different interpretations that it could have had, yes, that probably — that would have been appropriate," Cain said, when asked if he should have asked the audience to respect the soldier.
Cain said it wasn't immediately clear to him what had drawn the audience's scorn, adding, "I happen to think that maybe they were booing the whole 'don't ask, don't tell' repeal more so than booing that soldier."
The so-called don't ask, don't tell policy barring gays from serving openly in the military was officially lifted last month.
Cain's remarks came after President Barack Obama on Saturday chastised the GOP candidates at the debate, saying one of the duties of the nation's commander in chief is to stand up for Americans in uniform.
Separately, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., said that the GOP candidates at the debate should have defended the soldier. "The fact is we should honor every man and woman who is serving in the military and should in no way treat them with anything but the highest regard," he told CBS' "Face the Nation."
McCain added that the GOP candidates may have been thinking about how to respond to the soldier's question rather than paying attention to the booing. "I would bet that every Republican on that stage did not agree with that kind of behavior," he said.
Last December, McCain led Senate opposition to the repeal of the restriction on gay service

===========================
If the Tomb of The Unknown Soldier was found to house a gay, should he be exhumed and tossed out by the Republicans?

Bank of America complains it needs more money

Bank of America states it wants to squeeze more money from Americans and those who chose to use that bank's debit card. Now, that they are entangled with B of A, B of A wants to close the noose. They want to charge $5.00/month for using the debit card and many customers find other unwarranted fees slipped onto their monthly bank statements. Check those statements every month.

I say fight back. Drop the debit card. Read all bank correspondence and if the bank will not drop the fees, move your account to a place like Allied Bank. Don't use ATM's. Pay off your credit cards. As a nickel-and-dime protest, go into the bank everyday and drink their coffee for free. Five cups of coffee a month will equal the cost of five McDonald's coffees and erase the effect of the debit fees on your finances. The coffee protest is more of a visual protest.

Apple iPad vs Kindle Fire

Apple's 10-inch, 16GB iPad vs the 7-inch, 8GB first-generation Amazon Kindle Fire.

Both a called tablets, so which one to choose after you decide you want to buy a tablet. 

Unless you're a banker or a Wall Street scammer and doing really well this recession, it would be hard to justify shelling out money for both an iPad (at $499) which has been out for 18 months

and a Kindle Fire (which costs $199). The iPad has a bigger screen, more apps, and more memory.

The Kindle Fire has advantages over the iPad. The biggest advantage is the price. At $199 it makes real financial sense and most people will not even enjoy all of the benefits of their Apple iPad, before the next model appears on the shelves at another $700.00. I love to read Google books because it remembers my last page. Well, Kindle Fire does the same thing with books, TV shows and movies. You don't have to lose your spot. It also has Flash.

Considering the price difference, I would go for a $200 model in this economy and consider an updated iPad in later.years. I don't like the 8GB memory though. Yes, the kids will feel inferior against the rich kids, but the parents will not be into bigger debt, there are fewer problems if it is lost or stolen and the kids can still get their work onto the Kindle Fire. Other models are lowering prices to meet the Kindle Fire and we just might see a good price war for Christmas. So, I say wait for the holiday price changes, then decide what works best for you.

Madera redistricting complete

Madera is faced with 3 redistricting plans which will affect future city elections and who will represent you. The public comment period has expired. An ordinance will be introduced on October 5th and will be adopted by the city council on the 19th. On the 31st all will be complete. A copy of the districts can be picked up from city hall at 200 West Fourth Street or you can contact city hall via internet.

Just how polluted are our waters?

Just how polluted are our waters?

I saw a film yesterday discussing how many of the fish we eat are laden with worms and must be protected from bacterial and fungal infections. Hence, the fish caretakers lift the fish in batches out of the water and give each fish inoculations to keep them healthy and alive. So much for the healthy fish diet. We must keep our waters clean and clean up the messes we have ignored for too many years.